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These FAQs are designed to give basic information about the interior finishes we offer. For more specific information, please contact us. We look forward to hearing from you.
Troubleshooting Carpet | Common Issues
Carpet in heavily traveled areas receives the most wear. For better appearance and longer carpet life, try to reduce the amount of traffic on these areas or use small rugs in front of heavily used chairs or furniture. Remove and clean these rugs while vacuuming the primary carpet or rug. You should occasionally move furniture and reverse area rugs. Although some change will eventually occur in the texture of your carpet, reducing the wear on paths and in front of furniture will slow this change.
Slight color differences are a natural part of the dying process. The industry considers side match variations of the same dye lot of 4-5 or better based on the AATCC Gray Scale Rating to be normal. (The AATCC Gray Scale Rating is a nationally recognized comparison system to determine the extent of color differences.) Where correction is required, manufacturer may employ on site color adjustment procedures.
Slight color differences are a natural part of the dying process. The industry considers side match variations of the same dye lot of 4-5 or better based on the AATCC Gray Scale Rating to be normal. (The AATCC Gray Scale Rating is a nationally recognized comparison system to determine the extent of color differences.) Where correction is required, manufacturer may employ on site color adjustment procedures.
The weight of heavy pieces of objects may cause indentations in carpet. To lessen the impact use furniture glides under the legs of heavy pieces, and move your so that the weight is not concentrated in one area. To remedy depressions, work the carpet pile back into place with your fingertips or the edge of a spoon, then, dampen the area and dry the area with the low heat of a hair dryer, working the fibers with your fingers or a spoon. Test this method in a small non visible area to assure proper results. Some depressions may be permanent.
It is normal for carpet to have dye or textural variations from original display samples or from dye lot to dye lot. Such variations are not a basis for a claim.
Give your carpet the normal protection from direct sunlight that you would give to any colored fabric. Emissions from heating systems or chemicals, such as pesticides, household cleaning agents and other household items, can also result in color loss. Color appearance can change in traffic areas and as a result of improper carpet care. Carpet color can also be affected by harsh cleaning agents, improper cleaning procedures, faulty maintenance equipment or techniques. Contact WORKPLACE SERVICESSM Floor Care team for proper care of your carpet.
Dark or grayish lines on carpet along walls, stairways and under doors may be filtration soil. This is caused by airflow over and through carpet, allowing fine soils to settle on the surface. It is often caused by airflow over and through the carpet that allows fine soil particles to collect on the carpet surface, and may be the result of an improperly balanced ventilation system. This occurs when the volume of air entering a room exceeds the system’s capacity to remove air from the room. Excess air then seeks exit sources in gaps along walls and stairways. Prevent the airflow through carpet and carpet edges by sealing openings through the carpet and under doors and baseboards. This is especially important when installing a light colored carpet. Speak to the installation professionals at WORKPLACE SERVICES℠ assure your walls are sealed prior to installation. Keeping the air in the area clean and using good filtration in your heating and cooling systems and vacuum cleaners can help. Filtration soils may require special cleaning treatment for effective removal. Contact WORKPLACE SERVICES℠ Floor Care professional for assistance.
The fluff, or loose fibers, found on carpet or in the vacuum cleaner bag are the normal result of fiber left in the carpet from the manufacturing process. Removing these loose fibers does not affect carpet life or appearance. Because of their large size, these fibers are too big to become airborne or to be breathed in. With proper vacuuming and using a quality vacuum cleaner, most shedding gradually disappears within the first year after installation.
All carpet will exhibit footprints or depressions caused by footsteps. Some textures may reveal less shading caused by footprints but all carpet will exhibit footprints to some degree.
Highlighting and shading are differences in light refection between surface areas and are not defects. Some carpet constructions exhibit more footprints, vacuum/sweeper marks, highlighting, or shading than others. The shading will show more on plush, velvet carpets than those with texture. The shading is a normal effect as the light reflected off the tips of the carpet is different than that which is reflected off the sides of the fibers.
Stain resistance does not mean that carpet won’t soil. Staining or carpet soiling is not a defect in material or workmanship. Some staining may be covered by fiber manufacturers’ warranties and claims under their warranties should be submitted to the fiber producer. To help you understand the content of these warranties contact the sales team at WORKPLACE SERVICES℠.
Texture change known as matting will occur in all carpet. Manufacturers’ definitions of matting may vary. Matting is usually the result of the untwisting of the yarn and the intermingling of the yarn tips through foot traffic. Matting may be caused by various factors, including an improper cushion, cushion failure, or improper maintenance. Matting is not considered a manufacturing defect unless it is specifically cited in the manufacturer’s warranty. Carefully read and understand these warrantees, manufacturers definition of matting may vary.
Most wool and wool-blend carpet made in the United States are permanently treated to prevent moth damage. Carpet and rugs of manufactured (synthetic) fibers are naturally resistant to insects, because such fibers are not a food source and are resistant to beetles, commonly called carpet beetles. However, beetles already in the home may lay eggs in the carpet pile. Pet owners also may find fleas on their carpet. Fleas will not damage the carpet and will die there, unless they find another animal to sustain them. Frequent vacuuming aids in the control of fleas on carpet; just be sure to change the vacuum bag often. For assistance in removing beetles or other insects, contact a professional pest control specialist.
Pets and pet urine can cause a variety of problems with carpet; from seam separation to delamination of the backings to staining, odor, and color loss. Most carpet manufacturers consider damage caused by pets to be abuse and may void the warranty.
Excessive humidity or damp weather or excessive moisture applied during cleaning may cause a temporary rippling in your carpet. Ripples will disappear in a drier atmosphere. If ripples continue, contact WORKPLACE SERVICES℠ to have the carpet re-stretched or properly cleaned. Inadequate cushion or failure to use a power stretcher during installation also may be contributing factors to rippling and buckling.
Some types of carpet may show a crushing of the pile when first installed due to the weight of the carpet roll depressing the pile during warehousing or shipping. Vacuuming will assist in roll pile crush recovery.
There is no such thing as an invisible seam. While some carpet styles hide the seams more easily than others, the seams can always be located by an experienced professional. Even the carpet industry definition of a seam, “the line formed by joining the edge of two pieces of carpet, indicates a visible “line”. Many consumers feel that all seams should be invisible but this is often unrealistic. many times a seam is more visible immediately following installation due to the stretch which is placed on the carpet. This stretch allows the carpet backing to line up with the seam tape causing the seams to peak. This peaking will subside as the carpet relaxes.
The question that must be addressed is whether the seam was installed properly. Check to make sure a straight edge used and the seam forms a straight line. Also, that no overlap between the two edges exist and there are there no random tufts lodged between the butted edges.
Maintain the beauty of your carpet by cleaning it regularly before it becomes excessively soiled. Dirty, airborne particles may be deposited on carpet, causing dulling. Dulling is caused by the deposits of all types of soil. In spite of this, the original color of a carpet is not lost; it is still present under the soil. Oily soil may be very difficult to remove after it has been on the carpet for a long time, and it may be actually absorbed into the fiber, causing the carpet to have a yellow cast. Entry mats at doorways trap soil, and combined with routine cleaning and vacuuming, provide extra protection for all floor coverings. Frequent cleanings are also important to avoid this problem. WORKPLACE SERVICES℠ recommends professionally cleaning your carpet every six months depending on traffic to minimize staining
Occasionally, a yarn tuft will rise above the pile surface of a carpet. Just snip off these tufts to the level of the other tufts. Do not pull them out. If this problem persists in a localized area, contact WORKPLACE SERVICES℠ or the manufacturer’s representative.
Almost all carpet manufactured today has finishes that make it more stain and soil-resistant, but no carpet is entirely stain proof. It still requires care. Remove spots and spills promptly. If spills or soils are allowed to remain, they may become permanent. Call the phone number normally found on the carpet warranty or the floor care specialists at WORKPLACE SERVICES℠ to obtain specific information about cleaning the carpet
Topical treatments include soil retardants, stain repellents, antistatic treatments and deodorizers. The use of after-market, topical treatments without the express approval of the carpet manufacturer prior to application may void applicable warranties.
Most carpet manufacturers offer “wear” warranties of various time lengths. According to these warranties, “wear” is defined as the loss of pile weight or pile fiber (usually 10 percent) due to abrasive loss of fiber by weight. What appears to be wear, or pile fiber loss, may actually be matting, crushing or permanent fiber damage caused by soiling rather than loss of fiber. There is seldom actual loss of pile fiber. (See also Matting, Crushing.)
Watermarking or pooling is a color change effect which arises from the reversal or bending of the carpet pile fibers so that light is either absorbed or reflected from the pile. This is a common condition and is not related to carpet construction or fiber type and is considered normal.
Wrinkles, ripples and buckles in carpet are most often caused by a failure to stretch the carpet correctly using a power stretcher, the use of an incorrect or failed cushion, or excessive temperature and/or humidity. Ripples can be caused by a combination of any of the above. If ripples or buckles develop, consult your carpet retailer. Generally, the problem can be corrected by a qualified carpet installer who reinstalls the carpet with a power stretcher.